Gasparilla Music Festival to Entertain Tampa Festival-Goers for the Weekend

Coming up this weekend March 9th and 10th in Tampa, Florida, the 8th annual Gasparilla Music Festival.

This year’s expected attendance is over 20,000, according to organizers. Get your tickets now.

If you’re around Tampa/Clearwater area this weekend and are a music lover and foodie, don’t I have a treat for you. The Gasparilla Music Festival is on, and it’s the must-attend event of the season, featuring Tampa’s rich culinary history and creativity while representing its cultural complexity.

Checking my list for all I need to see and hear from a glorious selection of award-winning artists in Tampa at the 8th annual Gasparilla Music Festival.

GMF Board member Kevin Caldwell told the Scope Weekly, “Our mission is to utilize the shared experience of live music to inspire a stronger sense of community, support local musical arts and education, and contribute to the cultural and urban renewal of Tampa Bay. This weekend in Curtis Hixon Park we will hold our 8th annual festival. We have gained national attention for our mix of great talent, amazing food, and sustainability efforts. We think this will be the best year yet and we are excited about the future of GMF!”

Here are my Top 6 artists on my must-see list.

Gary Clark Jr. Sunday, March 10th.

Headlining the festival Sunday night Gary Clark Jr. reinterprets what it means to be a modern blues guitar player with a newfound political voice. Hot off appearances on Saturday Night Live, the Jimmy Kimmel show et al his latest album, This Land, debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 as mainstream America discovers this Austin, Texas treasure.

Lukas Nelson- photo credit Lukas Nelson website

Lukas Nelson, son of Willie to perform Sunday, March 10th

Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real. Sunday, March 10th. Coming of age in a celebrated musical family, Lukas Nelson created his own niche in the musical landscape of America as he continues to tour the world.

BRMC to make some noise Saturday, March 9

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Saturday. This San Francisco band, 20 years into its career, epitomizes pure Rock N’ Roll with a never-say-die attitude, an inventive style and authenticity rare in this current musical landscape. Greta Van Fleet take note. Do not miss them on Saturday, March 9th on the main stage.

The Avett Brothers Grammy nominated Saturday, March 9

The Avett Brothers, Saturday, March 9th. Nominated 3 times for a Grammy, headliners The Avett Brothers combine bluegrass, country, punk, pop melodies, folk, rock and roll, indie rock, honky tonk, and ragtime to produce a novel sound described by the San Francisco Chronicle as having the “heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, the raw energy of the Ramones.”

Hannah Harber & The Lionhearts- Album photo and design Mike Dunn

Hannah Harber and the Lionhearts to roar Sunday, March 10th.

Hailing out of central Florida Hannah Harber and the Lionhearts have just released their debut album, Long Time Coming, mixing raucous rock n’ roll with a sensitive side, Hannah Harber is going to be featured in an upcoming interview.

Joshua Reilly, Sunday, March 10th. Check the upcoming interview.

As New York Times bestselling author Tom Robbins wrote, “Vocally and instrumentally, Joshua Reilly has a delivery like the last train out of Real Town before the android invasion. Clear the tracks!” Looking forward to interviewing Joshua Reilly for a Scope Weekly exclusive to discuss his musical journey.